Boot and glove drying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A boot and glove drying apparatus including an axially extended hollow main member, means supplying drying air, such as moving heated air to the main member and a plurality of hollow branch members attached to the main member and in direct air communication with the interior of such main members so that when boots, etc. are positioned on the branch members air is circulated within the boot to dry the same.

Q United States Patent 1191 1111 3,798,788 Kuntz Mar. 26, 1974 [5 BOOTAND GLOVE DRYING APPARATUS 1,320,076 1/1963 France 34/104 7 9 B 34 21161 Inventor: Donald Kuml, 361 Sullivan 3351 1311933 $5326.11??? 341233Aurora, 111. 60504 22 Filed: une 5, 1972 1 J Primary Examiner-Kenneth W.Sprague [21] Appl- 259,500 Assistant ExaminerJames C. Yeung Attorney,Agent, or FirmHill, Sherman, Meroni, 52 us. (:1 34/104, 34/151, 34/239Gross [51] Int. Cl. F26b 25/00 [58] Field of Search 34/91, 92, 104, 151,163,

34/232. 239 [57] ABSTRACT [56] References Cited A boot and glove dryingapparatus including an axially UNITED STATES PATENTS extended hollowmain member, means supplying dry- 3,256,617 6/1966 Konstandt 34/239 gair, Such as m ing heated air to the main member 1,731,272 10/1929Schrenkeisem. 34/104 and a plurality of hollow branch members attachedto 2,85 00 /1958 ales 34/151 the main member and in direct aircommunication 2101'161 12/1937 Whitcma" 34/239 with the interior of suchmain members so that when (3/1948 34/104 boots, etc. are positioned onthe branch members air 3,626.60... l /l97l GlOWZlCkl is circulatedwithin the boot to y the Same.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Denmark 34/104 10 Claims, 9 DrawingFigures Pmmmmzs m4 3798.788 sum 1 0r 2 PATENTEU MR 28 1974 SHEEIEUFZBOOT AND GLOVE DRYING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention The invention relates to clothes drying and organizingapparatuses and more particularly to an apparatus for drying and orderlystoring boots, gloves and related apparel.

2. Prior Art As is known, boots, gloves and related apparel become moistor wet from perspiration and/or inclement weather so that upon removal,such apparel must be dried and stored for future use and easy access.When a large number of such articles of clothing must be simultaneouslydried, a large capacity drying means must be provided and an unsightlyscattering of such articles of clothing about a heating duct, a radiatoror other conventional drying means results, particularly when childrenor other non-responsible persons are involved. Boots, gloves and otherlike apparel are difficult to thoroughly dry in a relatively shortperiod of time because their interiors are not readily ventilated and/orexposed to air for removal of moisture. Some apparatuses are known fordrying a single pair of boots or the like, however, they are at bestlimited utility and do not alleviate the problems of orderly storing aplurality of such apparel so as to be readily accessible for future use.Storage racks or the like do not thoroughly dry apparel placed thereon.

Accordingly, it is highly desirable to provide an economical, largecapacity apparatus for drying and orderly storing boots, gloves andrelated apparel that is safe and readily utilizable by anyone, includingchildren.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides an apparatus for dryingand orderly storing a plurality of boots, gloves and related apparel.The apparatus generally comprises a base member having a hollow portion,means for supplying drying air to such hollow portion, such as anelectrically operated heating element positioned within the hollowportion, or a conduit interconnecting the hollow portion with a sourceof circulating air, such as a heating duct or the like; a plurality ofsomewhat .I-shaped auxiliary tube members attached and extending fromthe periphery of the hollow member for directing the drying air from theinterior of the hollow member to the open ends of the auxiliary tubes.In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a flat cap-like memberthat fits onto the hollow portion and has a perforated upfacing surfaceand a plurality of projecting hooks along the peripheral side surfacesthereof. In certain other embodiments, the apparatus includes a supportrack for the hollow portion and associated elements. The rack includesstorage shelves and hooks. Boots, shoes and similar apparel areindividually placed on the auxiliary tubes for drying from the interiorthereof and gloves, hats and similar apparel are also placed on theauxiliary tubes or on the perforated upfacing surface of the cap-likemember on the shelves for conventional drying. Coats, scarves andsimilar apparel are hung from the projecting hooks. In this manner,related apparel is quickly and thoroughly dried, orderly stored at asingle location and are readily available for future use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view, withparts broken away, of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom sectional view taken along line III- --III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view of another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational perspective view of another preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial elevational view of another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a partial elevational view of yet another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;and

FIG. 9 is a similar view of a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention provides anapparatus for readily drying and orderly storing a plurality of boots,shoes, gloves, scarves, hats and related apparel. The apparatus iseconomical to manufacture, easy to assemble and is efficient and safefor use by anyone, including children. The invention readily dries theinterior of boots, shoes, gloves and like articles having hiddenrecesses in a short period of time to render the same ready forcomfortable and sanitary future use. While the invention has manyobvious uses in a home, it also has uses in large institutions, forexample such as in an army barracks whereat it can be positioned at agiven location to dry, sanitize and orderly store for further use theshoes, boots, etc. of the personnel residing at such location. Similary,the invention can be provided in commercial establishments, such as aski lodge or the like, to dry out customers boots, etc. and make thedried boots readily available for future use.

As shown at FIG. 1, one embodiment 10 of the invention comprises anapparatus having as main components thereof a base member 11, avertically extending main tube member 15, a plurality of auxiliarymembers 17 and a flat cap-like member 18.

The base member is preferably a regularly shaped plate of a sizesufficient to stably support the apparatus 10 on a floor and prevent itfrom tipping or the like when it is loaded with apparel. The base member11 is preferably composed of metal, however, wood, ceramic or othersimilar material can also be utilized. In an exemplary construction, themember 1 1 is a 24 x 24 inch square composed of a 10 guage metal. Anupfacing hollow stub portion 12 is centered onto the base member 11 andrigidly secured thereto, as by welding or the like. A conventionalelectrically operated heating means Hm (best seen in FIG. 3), such as aV heating'element, is positioned within the hollow stub portion 12 toprovide heated air to the apparatus. A fan or the like may beincorporated into the heating means if desired, although it is notnecessary. As will be appreciated, heated air will naturally moveupwardly so as to circulate within the passage of the apparatus.Further, the amount of heat provided by the heating means Hm is notexcessive so that gentle drying occurs. The heating means Hm isoperationally connected via power cord P to a suitable source ofelectrical power. In preferred embodiments, the cord P is provided witha timer mechanism T so that the duration of the heating cycle can easilybe regulated.

The vertically extending main tube member fits onto the upstanding stubportion 12 and is secured thereto, as by a pluraity of set screws 15a.In large installations, it is desirable to include cold air openingsalong the bottom portion of member 15. Heated air produced by theheating means Hm is directed upwardly by the interior walls of the maintube member 15. The main tube member 15 is preferably composed of arelatively thin gauge metal, however, other heatimpervious materialssuch as certain plastics, ceramics, asbestos, etc. are also useful andcan be of any thickness desired. The dimensions of the tube member 15may be selected in accordance with the proposed use and an exemplarysize found convenient for home use, is a 4 foot tube having a 6 inchdiameter.

A plurality of hollow somewhat .l-shaped auxiliary tubes 17 are attachedto the peripheral side walls of tube member 15 so as to extend upwardlyat an angle of less than about 90 to such side walls. The auxiliary orbranch tubes17 are in direct communication with the interior of the maintube member 15 so that moving air, which may be heated somewhat aboveroom temperature, is guided therefrom to the open ends 17a of each ofthe auxiliary tubes 17. In an exemplary construction, short hollow stubsare attached, as by welding, onto the side walls of the tube member 15,which are appropriately pierced to provide direct communication betweenthe interior of the stubs and the interior of the tube 15. Theopen-ended .l-shaped auxiliary tubes 17 slip-fit onto the protrudingstub portion and may be secured thereto, as by metal screws. This typeof construction allows simplifiederection of the apparatus by therelatively unskilled user. Of course, the auxiliary tubes 17 may befastened directly to the main tube 15 if desired. In an exemplaryconstruction, the dimensions of the elongated portion of one of suchauxiliary tubes is about 9 inches and the height dimension of the curvedportion thereof is about 1 inch. Of course, other sizes are alsoutilized. In the embodiment here illustrated, all of the tubes'17 are ofan identical size, however, as shown in other embodiments theirdimensions are variable to accommodate, for example, different lengthboots.

The flat-cap-like member 18 has a rectangularly shaped cross sectionwith the upfacing surface 18a separated from the downfacing surface 18bby peripheral side walls 180. The space between the surfaces 18a and 18ballow the moving heated air to -be distributed over the entire surfacearea and provide substantially uniform heat to the upfacing surface 18a.A plurality of substantially uniformly distributed perforations 18110are disposed on the surface 180, allowing the heated air that isconducted upwardly to escape. A depending hollow neck portion 20 isattached to surface 18b at the approximate center thereof and fitswithin the interior of the main tube member 15. Of course, surface 18bhas an appropriate opening at its center area so'that heated air passesdirectly from the tube member 15 upwardly through the perforations l8aa.A plurality of hooks 21, such as portions of conventional coat hooks,are attached to the peripheral side walls 180 for support of articles ofclothing and the like. The cap-like member 18 is preferably composed ofmetal but other suitable material can also be utilized. In an exemplaryconstruction, the cap-like member 18 is composed of a relatively lightgauge sheet metal formed into a 24 X 24 X 3/4 inch box-likeconfiguration and provided with appropriate perforations and hooks asdescribed above.

In the embodiment 10a illustrated at FIG. 4, a

damper control means C is provided along the upper portion of main tubemember 15 so as to prevent heated air from freely escaping through thecap-like member 18. The damper control means C insure that sufficientheating air is directed through the auxiliary tubes 17 to completely dryboots or the like positioned thereon. An exemplary form of the dampercontrol means C comprises an appropriately shaped piece of metal or thelike and snugly fits within the interior of main tube 15 having an axialshaft connected thereto which protrudes through the side walls of tube15 for manual and/or automatic pivoting around such shaft so as topartially block the free passage of air within the tube 15.

The embodiment illustrated at FIG. 5 comprises a rack means 30' thatincludes four or more upright posts 31 securely fastened to one anotherby upper cross members 33 and lower shelf members 35 and 35a. The crossmembers 33 and shelf members 35 and 35a are secured to the posts 31 in asuitably rigid manner, as by welding. Each of the posts 31 is providedwith a plurality of projecting hooks 32 for support of larger apparel,such as coats, etc. Each of the shelves 35 and 350 are preferablyformed'of expanded metal mesh or the like so as to provide aircirculation through such shelves.

An air distribution manifold means 38 is rigidly secured to theunderside of at least one of the shelves as 35. The manifold means 38generally comprises an axially extending hollow member somewhat in theform of a rectangular box having distribution openings 38a such astransverse slots or the like so that drying air provided to the manifoldmeans 38 exits along the upfacing surface of manifold means 38 throughsuch distribution points 38a. The manifold means 38 maybe provided withan internal heating means, such as discussed in conjunction withembodiment l0 and in such forms includes a suitable electrical cord 39for providing energy to the heating means. In other forms, the manifoldmeans 38 may be provided with a conduit for connection with a forced airmeans (not shown). A plurality of auxiliary or branch tubes 37 aresecured in working relation above the distribution openings 38:; of themanifold 38 and each pair of tubes 37 are joined together by a conduit37a so that drying air must exit from the manifold means 38 up throughconduit 37a and into each of the tubes 37a and into the apparel placedon such tubes.

Dried apparel and the like may be stored in an orderly fashion alongbottom shelf35a while smaller apparel such as gloves, scarves, etc. maybe stored along the upper shelf 35 since a certain amount of the dryingair will be available to such shelf area for drying any apparel thereon.As will be appreciated, the apparatus of embodiment 30 may be made ofany size desired, such as for commercial or institutional use.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment 30a which is somewhat similar to theembodiment 30 in construction, except that the auxiliary tubes 37 are oftwo distinct sizes. The smaller tubes 37c are of a size suitable forregular shoes or childrens boots while the larger tubes 37d have agreater length so as to accommodate longer boots.

The embodiment 30b illustrated at FlG. 7 is also similar in constructionto the embodiment 30 except that the auxiliary tubes 37 are comprised ofan individual pair of tubes 37e which gradually increase in length toaccommodate boots and the like having increased shank portions.

The branch tubes 37 generally comprise two opposing tubes, somewhatsimilar to tubes 17 in embodiment which are secured along their bottomportions to one another by a flat conduit having an opening along thebottom. In the configuration, a pair of such tubes assume a somewhatV-shaped configuration with the apex of the V being replaced by a flatsurface. The downfacing opening of such flat surface is mounted directlyabove each of the distribution openings 38a of the manifold means 38.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment 10b similar in construction toembodiment 10 except that cold air return openings d are provided alongthe bottom portion of tube member 15 and a nipple conduit 150 isprovided for interconnection with a source of moving air, such as aheating duct or the like. In addition, the auxiliary tubes 17c are of avarying length so as to provide a somewhat Christmas-tree" configurationto allow various lengths of boots to be positioned on appropriatelysized tubes.

The embodiment 10c illustrated at FIG. 9 is also similar in constructionto the embodiment 10b and includes a plurality of individual bafflemeans B positioned in the interior of tube 15 above the openingscommunicating with each set of auxiliary tube members 170. The bafflemeans B are ofa gradually increasing size so that moving air is divertedby each baffle means to its respective set of auxiliary tubes so that aportion of such air is allowed to by-pass the baffle means for the nextset of auxiliary tubes and/or the cap member 18.

in considering the operation of, for'example, the embodiment 10, theapparatus is positioned at a given location and foot apparel Fa such asone or more pair of boots, shoes, slippers, etc. are individuallypositioned on each of the auxiliary tubes 17 so that the open ends 17aof such tubes are inserted into the remote recesses thereof, as in thetoe area of boots or shoes. Other apparel, such as gloves, arepositioned on the upfacing surface 18a and/or hung from hooks 21. Ofcourse, such other apparel may also be positioned on the tubes 17, ifdesired. The heating means Hm is activated in a conventional manner,with or without simultaneous activation of the timer mechanism T and/orthe damper control means C. In a relatively short period of time, allapparel on the apparatus 10 are thoroughly dried and ready for futureuse. As is recognized, dry apparel is materially more sanitary thanmoist apparel since germs, fungi and other noxious organisms do notthrive in dry areas. Further, the dried apparel is neatly organized onthe apparatus and is readily accessible to a user of such apparel.

ln summation, the invention broadly provides an apparel drying apparatuscomprised of an axially extended hollow main member, means supplyingdrying air to the main member and a plurality of hollow branch orauxiliary members attached to the peripheral surfaces of the main memberwith direct air communication between the main member and the branchmembers so that drying air passes from the main member to such branchmember.

The specific embodiments here described are only illustrative of theinvention. Other embodiments, including one-piece construction of themain component, use of other sources of drying air, different shapedauxiliary tubes, etc. are also encompassed by the invention. Variousother changes in structure may additionally occur to those skilled inthe art; and all of these changes are to be understood as forming a partof the invention insofar as they fall within the true spirit and scopeof the appendant claims.

I claim as my invention: 7

l. A drying apparatus for articles of clothing comprising;

a base member having an upstanding hollow stub portion;

a heating means positioned within said stub portion for providing dryingair;

an axially extended tube member mounted at a first end thereof on saidstub portion for providing a passage for the drying air provided by saidheating means;

a plurality of radially extending auxiliary tube members attached aboutthe periphery of said axially extended tube member, one end of each suchauxiliary tube members being in direct communication with the interiorof such axially extended tube member and the other end being open toatmosphere so that drying air passes through each of said auxiliary tubemembers; and

a cap-like member having a perforated upfacing surface area for supportof articles of clothing, a hollow interior chamber for distribution ofheated air over such surface area and a depending hollow neck portionattached thereto and mounted onto a second end of said axially extendingtube member, said cap-like member having a plurality of hooks projectingfrom its peripheral side surfaces.

'2. A drying apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the auxiliary tubesare .l-shaped, with the curved portions thereof being open toatmosphere.

3. A drying apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the heating means isan electrically operated heating element.

4. A drying apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein some of the branchmembers are of different length than other branch members so as toaccommodate different length apparel.

5. A boot and glove drying apparatus comprising;

a rectangular base portion having an upstanding hollow stub portionattached at a centered area thereof;

an electrically operated heating means positioned within said hollowstub portion;

a vertically extending main tube member having the first end thereofmounted onto said stub portion;

a plurality of auxiliary tube members attached about the peripheral sidewalls of said main tube member arranged so as to define an acute anglewith said side walls, one end of each of such auxiliary tube membersbeing'in direct communication with the interior of said main member andthe other end thereof being open to atmosphere; and

a cap-like member having a perforated upfacing flat surface area, ahollow interior chamber, one boundary of which comprises said surfacearea and a depending hollow neck portion in direct communication withsaid hollow interior chamber and mounted on a second end of said maintube memher, said cap-like member having a pluraity of hooks projectingfrom its peripheral side walls.

6. A boot and glove drying apparatus as defined in claim including adamper control means positioned below the cap-like member forselectively diverting amounts of drying air to the auxiliary tubes andthe perforated upfacing flat surface area of said cap-like memher.

7. A boot and glove drying apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein theplurality of auxiliary tube members comprise a plurality of pairs oftubes, at least one of such pairs being of a length dimension less thanthe length of at least another of such pairs.

8. A drying apparatus for articles of clothing comprising:

a rack means including a plurality of support posts and a storage shelfmeans attached to said posts;

a drying air manifold means supported by said shelf means and includinga plurality of distribution openings for distributing drying air throughsuch openings;

means for supplying drying air to said manifold means;

a plurality of open-ended conduits supported by said shelf means andspaced from one another; means for interconnecting each of said conduitswith a distribution opening; and

a plurality of pairs of hollow tubes for supporting an article ofclothing on a tube, each tube having an inner end for mounting an openend of a conduit and a somewhat curved outer end for fitting withinrecesses of the articles of clothing placed thereon, each tube of saidpair of tubes being joined to an end of one of said conduits so thatdrying air passes through said manifold distribution openings into theconduits and through each pair of tubes for drying articles of clothingthereon.

9. A drying apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein some of theplurality of pairs of tube members are of a different lengthdimensionthan other pairs of tube members.

10. In an apparel drying apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein saidmeans for supplying drying air includes a timer mechanism for regulatingthe heating cycle.

1. A drying apparatus for articles of clothing comprising; a base memberhaving an upstanding hollow stub portion; a heating means positionedwithin said stub portion for providing drying air; an axially extendedtube member mounted at a first end thereof on said stub portion forproviding a passage for the drying air provided by said heating means; aplurality of radially extending auxiliary tube members attached aboutthe periphery of said axially extended tube member, one end of each suchauxiliary tube members being in direct communication with the interiorof such axially extended tube member and the other end being open toatmosphere so that drying air passes through each of said auxiliary tubemembers; and a cap-like member having a perforated upfacing surface areafor support of articles of clothing, a hollow interior chamber fordistribution of heated air over such surface area and a depending hollowneck portion attached thereto and mounted onto a second end of saidaxially extending tube member, said caplike member having a plurality ofhooks projecting from its peripheral side surfaces.
 2. A dryingapparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the auxiliary tubes AreJ-shaped, with the curved portions thereof being open to atmosphere. 3.A drying apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the heating means is anelectrically operated heating element.
 4. A drying apparatus as definedin claim 1 wherein some of the branch members are of different lengththan other branch members so as to accommodate different length apparel.5. A boot and glove drying apparatus comprising; a rectangular baseportion having an upstanding hollow stub portion attached at a centeredarea thereof; an electrically operated heating means positioned withinsaid hollow stub portion; a vertically extending main tube member havingthe first end thereof mounted onto said stub portion; a plurality ofauxiliary tube members attached about the peripheral side walls of saidmain tube member arranged so as to define an acute angle with said sidewalls, one end of each of such auxiliary tube members being in directcommunication with the interior of said main member and the other endthereof being open to atmosphere; and a cap-like member having aperforated upfacing flat surface area, a hollow interior chamber, oneboundary of which comprises said surface area and a depending hollowneck portion in direct communication with said hollow interior chamberand mounted on a second end of said main tube member, said cap-likemember having a pluraity of hooks projecting from its peripheral sidewalls.
 6. A boot and glove drying apparatus as defined in claim 5including a damper control means positioned below the cap-like memberfor selectively diverting amounts of drying air to the auxiliary tubesand the perforated upfacing flat surface area of said cap-like member.7. A boot and glove drying apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein theplurality of auxiliary tube members comprise a plurality of pairs oftubes, at least one of such pairs being of a length dimension less thanthe length of at least another of such pairs.
 8. A drying apparatus forarticles of clothing comprising: a rack means including a plurality ofsupport posts and a storage shelf means attached to said posts; a dryingair manifold means supported by said shelf means and including aplurality of distribution openings for distributing drying air throughsuch openings; means for supplying drying air to said manifold means; aplurality of open-ended conduits supported by said shelf means andspaced from one another; means for interconnecting each of said conduitswith a distribution opening; and a plurality of pairs of hollow tubesfor supporting an article of clothing on a tube, each tube having aninner end for mounting an open end of a conduit and a somewhat curvedouter end for fitting within recesses of the articles of clothing placedthereon, each tube of said pair of tubes being joined to an end of oneof said conduits so that drying air passes through said manifolddistribution openings into the conduits and through each pair of tubesfor drying articles of clothing thereon.
 9. A drying apparatus asdefined in claim 8 wherein some of the plurality of pairs of tubemembers are of a different length dimension than other pairs of tubemembers.
 10. In an apparel drying apparatus as defined in claim 8wherein said means for supplying drying air includes a timer mechanismfor regulating the heating cycle.